The Round 2 clash between the Eels and the Sharks promises to be a thrilling encounter, building on both teams’ impressive performances in the first round.
The Eels exceeded expectations with a commanding 22-10 victory over the Brisbane Broncos, showcasing their determination and potential for the season. Their cohesive gameplay and strategic execution left fans and critics alike in awe.
On the other hand, the Sharks delivered a stellar performance by shutting out the North Queensland Cowboys, demonstrating their defensive prowess and signs for their offence to improve as the season continues.
Both teams head into this match with high spirits and confidence, and fans can expect a fiercely competitive game that could set the tone for their respective seasons.
Game Info
Date: Sunday, August 4, 2024
Kick-off: 12:00 PM AEST
Venue: Allianz Stadum, Sydney
Referee: Luke Saldern
Broadcast: Foxtel and Nine Gem
Live Stream: Kayo & Nine Now
Team Lists
Parramatta Eels
1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Rory Owen 4. Rosie Kelly 5. Monique Donovan 6. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Taneka Todhunter 10. Madeline Jones 11. Chloe Jackson 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Kennedy Cherrington 14. Rosemarie Beckett 15. Tyla Amiatu 16. Jade Fonua 17. Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis
18. Tafao Asauna 19. Pihuka Berryman-Duff 20. Chelsea Makira 21. Kate Fallon 23. Yasmine Baker
The Eels will be looking to continue their hot start, aiming to win back-to-back games for the first time since 2022. The Eels unfortunately won’t have Rueben Cherrington (syndesmosis) and Boss Kapua (PCL) for the rest of the 2024 season, as both suffered season-ending injuries.
Taneka Todhunter
Taneka Todhunter steps into the starting role as hooker, replacing Rueben Cherrington, whilst Chloe Jackson will make her NRLW debut in the second row, filling in for Boss Kapua. The young forward was promoted from a development player to the Eels top squad in 2024. Rosemarie Beckett, the 18th player last week, joins the bench.
Centre Rory Owen scored in her NRLW debut, which was her third-ever game of rugby league. While she is still learning the game, the guidance from her teammates, including captain Mahalia Murphy and winger Zali Fay, has been invaluable.
Cronulla Sharks
1. Jada Taylor 2. Cassie Staples 3. Tiana Penitani 4. Annessa Biddle 5. Georgia Ravics 6. Emma Tonegato 7. Tayla Preston 8. Ellie Johnston 9. Quincy Dodd 10. Holli Wheeler 11. Talei Holmes 12. Rhiannon Byers 13. Brooke Anderson 14. Georgia Hannaway 15. Chloe Saunders 16. Vanessa Foliaki 17. Tegan Dymock
18. Manilita Takapautolo 19. Nakia Davis-Welsh 20. Leki Leilua 23. Pia Tapsell
Cronulla remains unchanged from round one and enter this match with a last up record-breaking 56-6 victory over the Eels in 2023. With the team’s chemistry and cohesion further enhanced this year, they are poised for another dominant performance.
Coach Tony Herman likely took great pride from last week’s defensive performance, which held the Cowboys scoreless. However, he will be eager to address the high error rate that hindered their ability to score in the second half after winger Cassie Staples secured two tries in the first half.
With no changes 24 hours before kickoff, Manilita Takapautolo and Nakia Davis-Walsh are listed as the 18th and 19th players.
Centre Annessa Biddle is a standout player to watch, having amassed a game-high 192 running meters last week. The formidable 2023 NRLW Rookie of the Year has continued her impressive form, making her a vital asset for the Sharks.
Cronulla’s left edge is especially dangerous, with all three tries last week coming from that side, including a double by winger Cassie Staples. Fullback Emma Tonegato was incredible with her roaming support play, being involved in all of the Sharks’ three tries on the left edge.
Penitani
Tiana Penitani stands out as one of the premier centres in the NRLW. Strong, quick, and leading with the captain’s armband, Penitani is a formidable threat every team will aim to contain in 2024. The Eels, who know her well, will face the challenge of countering her and another former Eel in Tayla Preston. Expect plenty of action down the Sharks’ left edge as they seek to replicate their form from last week.
The Game
Last week was Rachael Pearson’s best performance in an Eels jersey, showcasing the form that earned her a NSW jersey for this year’s Origin series. The Eels will need her to continue that starring role against one of the premiership favourites. Her kicking game was exceptional against the Broncos, contributing a try assist, a 40/30, and 3/5 conversions.
Rachael Pearson
Pearson’s new combination with Cassey Tohi-Hiku also caught the eye. The young five-eighth is a rare talent and she provides the Eels with genuine strike power.
This game could go either way.
Parramatta aims to prove that their win was no fluke, but a preview of future success out west.
For Cronulla, it’s an opportunity to fine-tune their attack, which appeared inconsistent at times last week
While an upset is tempting to predict, a Cronulla side that minimises errors should be too strong for the vastly improved Parramatta.
Prediction: Sharks victory by 6 points
Player of the Game: Tiana Penitani
New coach Georgalis has Rachael Pearson playing more direct. Instead of crabbing across the field and turning a pass back inside, she has straightened up and is moving forward, bringing runners on to the ball. It makes her a better player, in my opinion, and provides her with more options.
I loved her game against the Broncos last week. If she can stay injury free, she will have a huge season. Onya Rat.
Steve is a very good coach. You could see the different shapes in attack in both the trial and round one. In fact it was very evident in the training session I watched.
Incredible defence. Unfortunately a run of incomplete sets towards the end were costly. Perhaps finished on the wrong end of some 50/50 strip calls and the Sharks definitely got kissed with that deflection for the try.
What an excellent effort from the girls !
They were absolutely fantastic and it probably went pear shaped when we had a couple of loose passes at the end and the Rat had to depart for a HIA.
Rory Owen is fast becoming my favourite player in the side but they were all good.
Rory has been an amazing discovery.
Great effort from the girls and gee they are miles in front of where they were last year.
Our two new centres have made a huge difference but I’m not sure of Casey Tohi Hiku at 5/8. No doubt she will keep improving but I thought she stifled our attack a bit. There were a few errors from her passes and it put her ball runners under heaps of pressure
I was wondering how Casey would go at fullback with Abbey at 5/8?
Clive, in my opinion Cassey will be a superstar 5/8. Like you, Forty and I had pondered whether she could play fullback. What we knew was that she needed to be closer to the action than wing or centre. She was outstanding last week, but her timing this week was slightly off. Give her a little time, she’ll hit the mark fairly quickly.
She will be fantastic wherever she plays. I really liked the performance of the young backrower that made her debut as well. She had a cracking game.
The standard of football in the NRLW is incredible. Long gone are the soft tries and tag style football of the early NRLW days.
Albert was stripped, the replay clearly showed an attempted strip and an eventual strip in the same tackle. I often wonder if Casey Badger is watching the same game.
Still a great effort, our girls can match it with any team this season.
It was a couple of tough calls Joseph, but I reckon the girls will look at that time in the game and realise they needed to do better.
Juped Sixties, we were juped I tell ya.